Funding Resources

Find the funding you need to support the important work you do in your community

We know you need funding in order to advance the arts in your community, and you’ve come to the right place!

While Americans for the Arts is not a grantmaking organization, we do offer our members the tools, professional development, and programming that will prepare them and their communities to access and better qualify for funding opportunities.

“Local Arts Agencies are like snowflakes; no two are exactly alike. Each has its own strengths and challenges. Some are well funded Departments of Cultural Affairs. Some are small organizations with a shoe string budget. The rest fall somewhere in between. What this means is we have to fundraise to deliver our programs and services and partner as often as possible. Both require patience, flexibility, and an innovative mindset to extend our reach into the community.” – Marc Folk, “Local Arts Agencies are like Snowflakes,” ARTSblog

Funding Resources

Resource Guide #1: Arts Education (2nd Edition)
This publication provides an overview of programs under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. These laws are the basis for most federal funding for the nation's schools. This resource guide (pdf, 137 KB) is a layered document with at-a-glance funding information as well as links to more detailed information and resources. You can also review this state-by-state list of 21st Century Learning Center (after-school) grants.

Resource Guide #2: Community Development Block Grant Program
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a local economic development program funded through the U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Department and administered locally. This resource guide (pdf, 212 KB) provides the background, eligible activities, and detailed grant examples to assist localities in using this funding opportunity. Also review this more recent collection of CDBG grants.

Resource Guide #3: Transportation Enhancement Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation operates the Transportation Enhancement program, which helps fund local transportation-related cultural projects. This resource guide (pdf. 103 KB) provides arts examples and includes the newly reauthorized Transportation Enhancement Program guidelines that can assist organizations with navigating this funding opportunity. In 2013, federal transportation grant programs were reauthorized by Congress and a summary of how that impacted the TE program, and further examples, are provided here.

Resource Guide #4: International Cultural Exchanges
The Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs seeks proposals for projects relating to cultural exchange and public diplomacy. This resource guide (pdf) for international cultural exchange is the third version published in six years - an area of the federal government that has experienced significant changes in its programming in the past few years.

Resource Guide #5: Military Base Closings
In November 2005, the 2005 Base Realignment & Closure Commission (BRAC) recommendations went into effect. As a result, 22 major defense installations were closed and another 33 were designated to have their workforce realigned, impacting 27 states. Americans for the Arts has published a resource guide (pdf, 113 KB) for local arts organizations in those affected states to consider how to get involved in the future redevelopment possibilities.

Resource Guide #6: Earmarks for Cultural Agencies and Institutions I
An earmark is a sum of money that, upon request of one or more representatives or senators, Congress directs to a specific project such as a building, transportation project, or cultural program or service. This resource guide provides a list of earmarks for cultural agencies, by federal agency, that Americans for the Arts identified in the FY 2005–FY 2006 (pdf, 245 KB) appropriations bills. Since 2010, U.S. House GOP leaders have put in place a ban on earmarks.

Resource Guide #7: National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) offers significant assistance for a range of arts-related programs, especially activities related to scholarship and public programs in arts history, criticism, and theory. This resource guide (pdf, 134 KB) provides an explanation of the NEH grant program and a representative list of recent arts-related grants. A more recent state-by-state collection provides further examples of NEH grants.

Resource Guide #8: Rural Development
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development division administers Community Facilities grant and loan programs designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. Communities with populations below 20,000 and 50,000 are eligible for funding under these programs. This resource guide (pdf, 128 KB) provides an explanation of the programs and examples of previously funded projects.

Resource Guide #9: National Service and the Arts
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNS) offers a variety of service programs and grants that can connect nonprofit arts organizations, schools, colleges, and local agencies with volunteers and financial support to help meet unmet community needs in education, health, environment, poverty, the elderly, and public safety. This resource guide (pdf, 669 KB) outlines the AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and Senior Corps programs with examples of previously funded arts and culture related projects. Further examples are also collected in this recent update.

Resource Guide #10: Earmarks for Cultural Agencies and Institutions II
This resource guide provides a list of earmarks for cultural agencies, by federal agency, that Americans for the Arts identified in the FY 2008 (pdf, 668 KB) appropriations bills. Since 2010, U.S. House GOP leaders have put in place a ban on earmarks.

Resource Guide #11: Artist As Entrepreneur
This resource guide provides a list of insights into the various economic development, community development and business support programs among several federal agencies, including the U.S. Commerce Department, Small Business Administration and U.S. Housing & Urban Development Department. A further update to this resource guide is also available.

There are currently no funding opportunities through Americans for the Arts. Occasionally, Americans for the Arts administers grant programs and provides funding opportunities. In recent years in partnership with Corporate initiatives we have also jointly sponsored projects that contained funding opportunities. Please check back on a regular basis for updates on new programs. To read about past funding opportunities with Americans for the Arts, click on the links below. Please note: Although some projects may be ongoing, Americans for the Arts is not currently accepting proposals for funding for any of the programs listed.

Artist as Entrepreneur: Economic Development Resource Guide
This resource guide provides a list of insights into the various economic development, community development and business support programs among several federal agencies, including the U.S. Commerce Department, Small Business Administration and U.S. Housing & Urban Development Department. A further update to this resource guide is also available.

Americans for the Arts' Animating Democracy: Directory of Funders Supporting Arts for Change Work
The online directory provides information on more than 150 grantmakers who responded to a 2010 survey as well as other grantmakers who have provided information since the initial survey.

Americans for the Arts' Arts Education Navigator is a series of e-books, and Getting Started walks you through the steps of creating support—and getting funding—that arts education programs desperately need.

Americans for the Arts' Arts Education Field Guide describes the ecosystem of partners, players, and policymakers in the field of arts education. This tool helps you determine who can best help you receive the type of funding you seek.

Americans for the Arts’pARTnership Movement connects businesses and arts organizations to create mutually beneficial relationships that strengthen both parties. The site features many tools and resources in the pARTnership Movement Toolbox to help arts organizations approach, plan, and execute financially beneficial partnerships with businesses.

Americans for the Arts hasa list of Public Art Funding Resources (documents, reports, and contract templates) that will help you begin a public art project with the appropriate funding in place.

Americans for the Arts’Local Arts Rapid Response Tool Kit guides you through the process of getting back on your feet and also offers helpful resources to acquire initial funding.

Americans for the Arts created a list of organizations that provide loans for arts organizations. For additional opportunities, check your local community foundations and local arts foundations. We also suggest checking your state and local governments for available loans to arts organizations.

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act View a chart (pdf, 15 KB) on federal funding opportunities produced as a result of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts provides federal funding available for arts initiatives through national, state, and local funding programs.

U.S. Department of Education Grants and Contracts
These pages are designed to help you find grants and contracts through the U.S. Department of Education. Arts-related grant opportunities (current and past) have included Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination Grants Program, after-school programs, and professional development.

No Subject Left Behind (Updated Version): A Guide to Arts Education Funding Opportunities Through the U.S. Department of Education
The report, No Subject Left Behind, (pdf, 317 KB) produced by a consortium of national arts organizations, including Americans for the Arts, on the arts-related aspects of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The report includes information on arts education policy under NCLB and information on grant opportunities, including program descriptions, Department of Education contact information, and links to many other resources.

Foundation Centerwww.fdncenter.org/funders
Lists information about funders, allows users to search for grants and funding opportunities, and provides guidance and training for grantseekers.

Fundsnet Online Serviceswww.fundsnetservices.com
A comprehensive website dedicated to providing nonprofit organizations, colleges, and universities with information on financial resources available on the Internet. Includes an extensive list of arts funders.

Topic Page News Tabs

News

The NABE Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE), and Americans for the Arts have awarded Xiangyu “Lucy” Wang the seventh annual NABE Foundation/Americans for the Arts Scholarship Award. Wang will receive the $5,000 scholarship to further the integration of the arts into the study and application of economics in her undergraduate career and professional development.

Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced 12 finalist cities in the running to receive up to $1 million each as part of the Public Art Challenge, a new program aimed at supporting temporary public art projects that engage communities, enhance creativity, and enrich the vibrancy of cities. Americans for the Arts president and CEO Robert L. Lynch applauds Bloomberg Philanthropies and comments on the news.

In Nashville, a $200 grant to the Nashville nonprofit the Housing Fund will provide housing assistance for artists live/work spaces. The “Make a Mark Program” is funded by the Kresge and Surdna Foundations and will provide financing to artists and creatives to live permanently in Nashville and Davidson County.

Sign Up For E-mails

Partnership Movement

The pARTnership Movement provides businesses and arts organizations with tools to make meaningful collaborations—partnerships that not only support a healthy, creative, and artistic community, but also give businesses a competitive advantage.

Advertisement Block

News: Funding Resources

News
related to Funding Resources

Congressional Arts Caucus co-Chairs Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ) led a bipartisan letter requesting $154.466 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in FY 2016. A record-breaking 134 House members joined them in that request!

On March 18, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee held its Public and Outside Witness hearing to receive testimony on programs funded by the subcommittee, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

Apply now for Colorado Creates, the Colorado Creative Industries' largest grant program. Grants are awarded to support nonprofit cultural organizations and communities for arts and cultural activities. Last year,150 grants totaling $1,125,000 were awarded across Colorado.

Arts Education Navigator

E-books for arts education supporters

Partnering with Vans Custom Culture, Americans for the Arts has designed the Arts Education Navigator, a series of e-books covering a variety of topics with the purpose of helping educators, students, and advocates alike navigate the complex field of arts education.

Connect with Us

Connect with Others

Who We Are

Americans for the Arts serves, advances, and leads the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain, and support the arts in America. Founded in 1960, Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education.